Botswana vs Tunisia – Preview, Team News & H2H

Botswana vs Tunisia meet in AFCON 2027 qualifying Group H on 28 September 2026 after both teams opened their campaigns with draws. Follow the Botswana vs Tunisia live score, confirmed lineups, goals and match events on SP Score, and explore more AFCON 2027 qualifiers, match previews and African football news on the SportPesa Kenya Blog.

Botswana surrendered a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw with Libya, while Tunisia were held 1-1 by co-hosts Uganda. Group H has an unusual qualification picture because Uganda have already secured their place at AFCON 2027 as co-hosts, leaving Botswana, Tunisia and Libya competing for the additional qualification place.

The fixture is part of the opening qualifying window. Matchdays 3 and 4 follow in November 2026, with the final two rounds scheduled for March 2027.

READ ALSO: Why only one team will qualify from AFCON 2027 groups featuring Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda

Botswana came within minutes of winning their opening qualifier. Tumisang Orebonye scored twice against Libya, but the Zebras could not protect their 2-0 advantage and conceded a stoppage-time penalty in a 2-2 draw.

Tunisia also let an early lead slip. Adem Arous scored in the 12th minute against Uganda before Rogers Mato equalised in the second half to secure a 1-1 draw for the Cranes.

Both sides therefore enter their second qualifier looking for a first win. Botswana’s opening performance provided attacking encouragement, while Tunisia will want more control after failing to turn an early goal into three points.

Previous AFCON qualifying campaigns have produced some close Tunisia vs Botswana meetings, including a goalless draw in Botswana before the Carthage Eagles won the return fixture 3-0.

Botswana have also beaten Tunisia in competitive football. The Zebras recorded victories over the Carthage Eagles during qualification for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, giving this fixture more history than the teams’ current rankings alone suggest.

That history gives the current meeting useful context without determining what happens in a new qualifying campaign with different squads and coaches.

Tumisang Orebonye is the obvious attacking reference after scoring both goals against Libya. Botswana’s opening lineup also featured Goitseone Phoko, Alford Velaphi, Tebogo Kopelang, Kitso Mangolo, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Olebogeng Ramotse, Lebogang Ditsele, Gape Mohutsiwa, Thero Setsile and Thatayaone Kgamanyane.

After creating a two-goal advantage on Matchday 1, Botswana have a core that can be retained while the coaching staff addresses the late defensive problems that allowed Libya back into the game.

Tunisia have refreshed their squad for the opening qualifiers. Ferjani Sassi, Aïssa Laïdouni and Ali Maâloul returned to the national-team setup, while Samy Chouchane, Sadok Kedida and Mohamed Nasraoui received first senior call-ups.

Hannibal Mejbri is unavailable through injury. Tunisia can still draw on a mixture of experienced internationals and newer players as they look for their first Group H victory.

Several players from the opening qualifiers could keep their places when the Tunisia national football team vs Botswana national football team lineups are confirmed before kick-off. Until then, the Matchday 1 teams provide the clearest guide to the players in contention.

The table above records the teams used in the opening qualifiers rather than presenting them as confirmed starters for this match. Once the official teams are announced, SP Score provides the changing match information.

All four teams took one point from Matchday 1, but Uganda’s status as a tournament co-host changes the qualification equation. The Cranes are already qualified, leaving Botswana, Tunisia and Libya competing for the group’s additional place at AFCON 2027.

READ ALSO: Kenya vs Eritrea: AFCON 2027 qualifiers schedule, venue and ticketing details

READ ALSO: McCarthy reacts after Harambee Stars’ opening AFCON qualifier draw with Eritrea

One point separates neither side after Matchday 1, with the latest Tunisia national football team vs Botswana national football team stats showing Botswana on two goals scored and Tunisia on one.

Botswana’s immediate challenge is game management after losing a two-goal lead. Tunisia’s is converting periods of control into enough chances to turn a narrow advantage into a win.

Tumisang Orebonye enters the fixture after scoring twice against Libya and gives Botswana a proven focal point in attack.

Ferjani Sassi brings experience and composure to Tunisia’s midfield following his return to the national team, while Aïssa Laïdouni offers ball-winning ability and energy if selected.

Adem Arous also arrives after scoring Tunisia’s first goal of the qualifying campaign against Uganda.

Botswana’s two goals against Libya and Tunisia’s greater international experience make the Botswana vs Tunisia prediction less straightforward than a simple comparison of the two teams might suggest. The Zebras led for much of their opener, but their inability to close the game out remains a concern.

Tunisia have greater experience at this level and several established players have returned to the squad. Their 1-1 draw with Uganda, however, showed that possession and an early lead will not automatically translate into three points.

The decisive questions are whether Botswana can maintain their defensive concentration and whether Tunisia can create enough clear chances to make their experience count.

Eligible adults who want to explore the available match markets can visit SportPesa Kenya football. 18+ | Please gamble responsibly.

Fans following Tunisia vs Botswana live can use SP Score for the confirmed lineups, score, goals, cards, substitutions and other match events as the game develops.

After full-time, the final score can sit alongside the H2H record, team information and Group H context, keeping the page useful as part of the teams’ AFCON 2027 qualifying record.

The AFCON 2027 qualifier is scheduled for 28 September 2026.

Kick-off is scheduled for 19:00 GMT, which is 22:00 EAT.

They are in AFCON 2027 qualifying Group H with Uganda and Libya.

Botswana drew 2-2 with Libya after Tumisang Orebonye scored twice.

Tunisia drew 1-1 with Uganda, with Adem Arous scoring Tunisia’s goal.

Uganda are already qualified as co-hosts. Botswana, Tunisia and Libya are competing for the additional qualification place available from Group H.

The official starting teams become available close to kick-off, with SP Score providing the changing match information.

SP Score carries the live score and match events.

READ ALSO: Belgium vs France – Preview, Team News & H2H

Botswana vs Tunisia brings together two teams searching for their first victory in AFCON 2027 qualifying after opening Group H with draws. Botswana showed attacking promise against Libya, while Tunisia began with a point against Uganda.

The fixture also matters beyond Matchday 2 because Uganda’s automatic qualification leaves Botswana, Tunisia and Libya competing for one additional place. That makes points in direct meetings particularly important throughout the campaign.

For wider tournament context, read how Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are preparing to co-host AFCON 2027 and continue following African football coverage on the SportPesa Kenya Blog.